Friendship Cemetery
Graves: 400 (1876-)
Source: TxDot; Parsons, Kim, Ref. to Texas Cemeteries, 1988; Franklin County History website
To address the problem of cemetery destruction and to record as many cemeteries as possible, the Texas Historical Commission offers the Historic Texas Cemetery designation.
The Historic Texas Cemetery designation was developed in 1998 to help protect historic cemeteries by recording cemetery boundaries in county deed records to alert present and future owners of land adjacent to the cemetery of its existence. Every county in Texas has at least one cemetery designated as a Historic Texas Cemetery through this program. The HTC designation is the first step toward preservation of a historic cemetery.
A cemetery is eligible for designation if it is at least 50 years old and is deemed worthy of recognition for its historical associations. The very nature of a cemetery being a landmark of a family’s or community’s presence is considered to validate the criteria of historical associations. Any individual, organization, or agency may submit a request for designation.
Texas has been a major oil-producing state for over a century. The first big oil discovery in Texas was the Spindletop field near Beaumont in 1901, which set off a massive oil boom that transformed the state's economy and made Texas one of the wealthiest states in the country.
The county was officially established in 1875, and it was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States. The growth of the county was significantly influenced by the arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s, which brought increased commerce and opportunities for trade. The economy thrived on agriculture with cotton being the most significant crop, but by the early 20th century, dairy farming became a major industry as well.
Franklin County played a role in the timber industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The presence of vast pine forests led to the establishment of lumber mills, which helped support the local economy. However, as the demand for timber decreased and the resources were depleted, the industry declined, and agriculture became the primary source of income.
In recent years, Franklin County has embraced its historical and natural attractions, including the Old Jail Museum, which provides insight into the county's past, and Lake Cypress Springs, offering outdoor recreational activities. Today, the county continues to be a rural community with a strong sense of community and a focus on preserving its history while also looking towards the future.
Franklin County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Franklin County, Texas.
- 1837 - Franklin County is established on January 30.
- 1846 - The town of Mount Vernon, the county seat, is established.
- 1850 - The county's population is recorded at 1,695.
- 1887 - The Texas Midland Railroad extends its line through Franklin County.
- 1930 - The Great Depression causes economic hardships in the county.
- 1937 - Franklin County Electric Cooperative is formed to bring electricity to rural areas.
- 1968 - The completion of the Cooper Lake Dam creates Cooper Lake, attracting tourists.
- 1990 - The county's population reaches 8,904.
- 2020 - Franklin County celebrates its 183rd anniversary.